In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Board” means the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board. “Review Board” means the entity composed of, and appointed by, the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board under § 6–707 of this subtitle.

There is a Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board in the State Department of Education.

The Board consists of the following members: Eight public school classroom teachers, as follows: Six chosen from a list of nominees provided by the statewide teachers’ organization representing a majority of teachers in the State for collective bargaining purposes; and Two chosen from a list of nominees provided by a statewide teachers’ organization representing teachers in at least one jurisdiction within the State for collective bargaining purposes other than the majority organization provided for in item 1 of this item; Six teacher education faculty members from colleges of the State, chosen from a list of nominees provided by: The Maryland Association of Teacher Educators; and The Maryland Association of Colleges of Teacher Education; Four administrative or supervisory staff members of public schools, as follows: Two chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland; One chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals; and One chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Maryland Association of Elementary School Administrators; One administrative or supervisory staff of the approved nonpublic schools of the State, chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Association of Independent Schools; One member of a local board of education, chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education; Two representatives of the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities, chosen as follows: One licensed special education teacher currently providing classroom instruction, chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities; and One administrator or supervisory staff member, chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities; Two representatives of the general public, as follows: One chosen from a list of nominees provided by the Speaker of the House of Delegates of Maryland; and One chosen from a list of nominees provided by the President of the Senate of Maryland; and The State Superintendent or a designee of the State Superintendent. The Board shall include all the members of the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Advisory Board serving on July 1, 1991. The Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate of Maryland, shall appoint the members of the Board described in subsection (a)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section. In making the appointments required under this subsection, the Governor shall ensure that the Board is representative of: The geographic regions of the State; and Minority populations of the State as defined in § 9–301 of the State Government Article. The term of an appointed member is 3 years. The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Board on October 1, 1991. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the remainder of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct. From among its members, the Board annually shall elect a chairman. A majority of the members of the Board then serving on the Board is a quorum. The staff for the Board shall be provided by the State Board.

In accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article, both the State Board and the Board shall develop for consideration rules and regulations for: Except as provided in item (iii) of this paragraph, the certification of teachers and other professional personnel in accordance with this article; Requirements for preparation of teachers and other education personnel; The certification of social workers employed by a local school employer as professional personnel; and Attracting and providing certification to teachers from groups historically underrepresented in the teaching profession. Rules and regulations developed by the State Board shall be reviewed by the Board. Rules and regulations developed by the Board shall be reviewed by the State Board. Rules and regulations that are initiated by either the State Board or the Board and submitted for review to each other shall be acted upon within 60 days of their receipt by the other party. Recommendations on rules and regulations shall be implemented if both the Board and the State Board approve them. An individual who is otherwise qualified may not be denied the right to receive credentials from the Board, to receive training to become a teacher, or to practice teaching in any school because that individual is totally or partially blind. A county board may not refuse to contract with or engage a teacher because of blindness if the blind teacher is capable of performing the duties of the position for which he has applied. The right of a school psychologist, who is certified by the Board to practice school psychology consistent with the provisions of that certification, may not be limited by Title 18 of the Health Occupations Article with respect to the practice of school psychology in an educational institution. The Board may establish a fee, not to exceed $10, for issuance or renewal of a teacher certificate. The Board may not require a fee: For the addition of any new area of certification to a currently valid certificate; or Except for the fee authorized under this subsection, for the evaluation of credentials for the certification of teachers.

This subsection does not apply to an individual authorized to provide school counseling in the State under §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article. On or before July 1, 2016, the Board shall require a certificate holder applying for renewal of a certificate as a school counselor to have obtained training in, by a method determined by the Board, the knowledge and skills required to understand and respond to the social, emotional, and personal development of students, including knowledge and skills relating to: The recognition of indicators of mental illness and behavioral distress, including depression, trauma, violence, youth suicide, and substance abuse; and The identification of professional resources to help students in crisis. The training required under subsection (a) of this section shall be commensurate with the duties of a school counselor and may exceed the training required of other school personnel under § 6–122 of this title. The Board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.

It is the intent of the General Assembly that the process for initial certification of qualified teachers and other school personnel educated or credentialed in other states be efficient and effective to encourage more teachers and other school personnel to live and work in the State. Subject to the rules and regulations that are implemented according to § 6–704 of this subtitle, the State Superintendent may make an agreement with the appropriate educational authority of any other state to provide for reciprocity in the certification of teachers. Subject to the regulations of the Board, the State Superintendent may accept the accreditation for certification purposes of a program for teacher preparation if: The accreditation is granted by a recognized national accrediting agency; and The institution preparing the teachers is in another state.

In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this subtitle, the Board may adopt regulations in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.

From among its members, the Board shall appoint a Review Board. The Review Board consists of five members which shall be composed of: The State Superintendent; The local board of education member; Two of the public school teacher members; and One of the teacher education faculty members. One member of the Review Board shall be appointed to act as a liaison between the Board and the Review Board. The term of a member of the Review Board is 1 year. Upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent, a member of the Review Board may be reappointed once. The term of office shall be from September 1 of the calendar year in which the appointment is made.

The Review Board shall: Make recommendations to the Board on appeals from rulings of the certification staff; and Submit its findings to the Board. The Board shall make the final determination for each appellate case.